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Province making Legal Aid available at bail hearings

Apr 18, 2018 | 2:46 PM

The Alberta government has announced a new initiative to help reduce backlogs in the courts and assist Albertans in navigating the justice system.

Duty Counsel, a free legal service available to all residents regardless of income levels, will now be provided at first appearance bail hearings and hopefully help Albertans understand their rights, as well as create a more efficient legal process.

Under the new system, government officials say Legal Aid lawyers will provide basic information, guidance and advice to help accused persons at their first bail appearance. Currently, many people facing charges are self-represented during the bail process.

“The comprehensive review of Alberta’s bail system in 2016 highlighted how important it is to put the most important information in front of decision makers so the best possible decisions can be made,” said Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General in a media release. “Making Legal Aid duty counsel available at first appearance bail hearings is a key part of that. This initiative will help balance public safety with the need to protect the rights of individuals.”

Officials say Legal Aid Alberta will be recruiting the new duty counsel lawyers over the coming months and these positions will be phased in with a full staffing complement expected by this fall. They will be available during bail hearing office hours of operation – 16 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The initiative follows a successful three-month pilot project that saw Legal Aid Alberta provide duty counsel at first appearance bail hearings in late 2016.

Officials also make note that the government is currently negotiating a renewed, long-term, sustainable funding and governance agreement with Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta.